GIRLS BASKETBALL: Waynesfield falls in tourney title game

Despite a 34-point performance from senior guard Kaylee Patton, the Waynesfield-Goshen Tigers fell to the Bellefontaine Chieftains in the championship game of the Wapak Tip-Off Tournament, 69-62.

The Bellefontaine Chieftains jumped out to an early first quarter lead, and maintained it throughout the game.

Bellefontaine’s Brenda Johnson scored 20 points for the Chieftains, leading them to victory in the game, and victory in the Tip-Off Tournament.

Huddled around their bench, the girls of Bellefontaine raised the trophy high in celebration late Saturday night.

Patton was clearly the best scorer on the floor both nights of the Tournament, scoring 58 points in the tournament.

“Our defense was not as solid as we would have liked to see it,” head coach Ted Patton said after the game. “Tip your hat to Bellefontaine tonight.”

Ted Patton said Kaylee Patton’s play is outstanding, and he said it really is great to have the security of a solid ball handler to take care of the ball the entire length of the court.

“I really can’t say enough about Kaylee. We don’t take her out of the game, we rely a lot on her, she handles the ball that first 60 feet that nobody ever reads about. It’s a lot of work on her, she’s got a lot of drive. She’s a once in a life time ball player,” Ted Patton said.

Kaylee Patton picked up two early fouls within the first two minutes of the game, but played through the foul trouble, only picking up one more until late in the fourth quarter. With just seconds left and the game all but out of reach, Kaylee Patton picked up her fifth foul on the night, forcing her to finally take a breather.

The Chieftains found success at the free-throw line, shooting 20-for-31 from the charity stripe.

Regan Price had 10 points for the Chieftains. Waynesfield, now 1-1, plays next Saturday at Allen East.